Carolina Marín and Simone Biles: Where Power Meets Resilience

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Introduction

Historically, women have been undervalued in sports. This is often justified by the fact that in many disciplines, such as football, basketball, and tennis, the men’s categories tend to generate higher profits.

However, the issue goes beyond economics. Women have frequently been portrayed as the “weaker” gender, and public attention has often favoured those who fit conventional beauty standards, such as Anna Kournikova or Alica Schmidt.

Although we now live in a time when these perceptions are increasingly being challenged, it is particularly compelling to see female athletes who break traditional norms, defy stereotypes, and achieve excellence in their sports through dedication and hard work.

Two such figures stand out on the international stage: Simone Biles and Carolina Marín. While they come from very different cultural and personal backgrounds, both provide compelling examples of the combination of athletic power and personal resilience. Their careers are defined not only by technical excellence and competitive success but also by their ambition, discipline, and unwavering mental strength. In doing so, they challenge long-held stereotypes about women in sports, proving that determination, skill, and perseverance are universal traits that transcend gender.

Development

When the conversation turns to pure excellence, one name inevitably stands out internationally: Simone Biles. Often called “the GOAT,” the nickname is more than justified, as she is the most decorated gymnast of all time, a true force in the sport.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she was placed in foster care at an early age as her mother struggled with substances and alcohol, luckily, she was adopted by her grandparents, who she calls mum and dad, and discovered her passion for gymnastics at a school field trip, and afterwards, there was no coming back.

At 4 feet 8 inches (approximately 1.42 meters), she may appear small in stature, yet she has made an enormous impact on the sport. Simone Biles is the creator of several groundbreaking skills collectively known as “The Biles,” including the Yurchenko double pike and the double layout with a half twist—elements that had never before been performed by a woman before and were subsequently named in her honour (Bryan, B. (2020). Simone Biles: Dominant gymnast.)

Just by looking at her many achievements, it is easy to assume that she had what many would call “the perfect life.” However, this is a reminder that things are not always as they seem. Simone worked extremely hard for her success. Even though she showed natural talent from a young age—her mother, Nellie, once said, “She was always a kid who liked to jump and bounce around”—her accomplishments did not come without sacrifice. (Editorial, BBC news Mundo (2021).

As a child, she trained up to 32 hours per week. She was homeschooled so she could dedicate more time to gymnastics, a decision that required giving up many typical childhood experiences. She did not participate in other extracurricular activities or attend traditional school events like graduation parties. From an early age, she focused entirely on one goal: becoming the best version of herself. (Editorial, BBC news Mundo (2021).

Her life reached a turning point in 2017, after her dominant performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics, when the Larry Nassar scandal became public. Despite being one of the most decorated athletes in the world, she bravely spoke out on social media, revealing that she had also been abused by the former U.S. team doctor. By sharing her story, she supported her teammate McKayla Maroney, who had previously come forward with her own accusations.

Biles was one of more than 150 women who gave testimony about the abuse. In her statement, she wrote, “Most of you know me as a happy, giggly, and energetic girl. But lately I’ve felt broken, and I’m not afraid to tell my story anymore. I too am one of the many survivors who was sexually abused by Larry Nassar.” (Jelena Dokic. (2024).

But her biggest career hit was about to begin, when she revealed that she suffered from “The Twisties” while competing in the 2020 Olympics, a psychological phenomenon that gymnast experience when they encounter a disconnect between their body and mind while performing. It can cause a loss of sense of space and awareness, leading to possible injuries and instability. Craig Meyer(2024)

She withdrew from most events in the competition to take care of her mental wellbeing, something that was hardly criticized by the media as that action led to the U.S team to content with a silver medal, rather than the expected gold after losing their golden star. Craig Meyer (2024).

““We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day, and sometimes you just have to step back,” said Simone Biles afterward, offering an important reminder about the value of self-care. Craig Meyer (2024)

Although she had worked tirelessly to compete at the Olympic Games, she endured significant challenges during that week. Through her decision, she demonstrated that winning gold medals is not the only measure of success; her mental well-being comes first, even above the final outcome. In doing so, she showed that she does not need to prove anything to anyone except herself.

Beyond the example set by Simone Biles, another powerful story of resilience can be found in Carolina Marín. The Spanish badminton champion faced a heartbreaking setback when an injury stopped her from reaching the final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, ending her pursuit of another Olympic gold medal.

Her journey highlights that the true measure of an athlete is not only in their victories, but in their courage and determination when circumstances do not go as planned.

Injuries were not new to the athlete, as she had previously been forced to miss the Olympics due to a serious knee injury. However, this moment was especially devastating. After fighting her way back to compete again in 2024, she landed awkwardly on her surgically repaired knee, just eleven points short of reaching the final as one of the favourites for gold (Jo Gunston, 2024.)

3 world championships, 7 European Championships and one Olympic gold, Carolina was just a girl following her passion training 8 hours per day to achieve her dreams when she arrived the She trains at the High Performance Centre of the Spanish National Sports Council in Madrid, where she has become the greatest badminton player in Spain’s history and one of the best in the world.as a girl from a small city in Spain Huelva, at just 14 years old to start training professionally. Fighting pain daily, she said” That´s being an athlete, fighting pain daily and pushing through” (D. Max Spain, Matteo García Navarro).

She has remained consistent not only in being the best but also in giving her best effort. Yet, like all things in life, fame is ephemeral.

Competing in a sport historically dominated by Asian athletes, she became the first and only Olympic champion from outside Asia. Through her innovative techniques, combined with sheer will and determination, she was able to absorb and learn from the strengths of her opponents, studying them methodically before each match (Matteo García Navarro).

Two defining traits set her apart: extraordinary mental resilience and relentless attacking intensity, qualities that regularly secured her a place on the podium and in the spotlight. In recognition of her achievements, she received the prestigious 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. This distinction honours individuals or institutions whose exemplary lives and careers have advanced new milestones in humanity’s pursuit of self-improvement and meaningful contribution. Princess Leonor of Spain presented the award. (Fundación Princesa de Asturias).

After enduring numerous setbacks, she realized she needed to step back and take a break. In December of last year, she shared on her Instagram account that she would dedicate 2026 to reconnecting with herself, writing, “I’ve collapsed; I really need to isolate myself and focus on me.” (El País, 2025).

She has shown that while hard work is essential, staying true to oneself is even more important. She has openly spoken about how little free time she has and how limited her personal life can be, often lacking the opportunity to make new friends or enjoy everyday activities like most adults. Even so, she describes herself as happy and incredibly fortunate to earn a living from her passion. She enjoys dancing, spending time with her childhood friends, and managing her schedule as carefully as possible in order to maintain balance in her life. (Ken Browne, 2020)

Although it has not been officially confirmed, she has expressed her intention to retire in the near future. In a recent interview, she stated, “Right now, my dream is to retire in April 2026, after the European Championship held in Spain, possibly in Huelva, my hometown.” Such a farewell would offer a fitting conclusion to a remarkable career, after years of being one of the most dominant players in international badminton (James Pratt).

Conclusion

Through these two powerful examples, we learn that Simone and Carolina were passionate young girls who transformed their determination to achieve greatness into careers driven by ambition and discipline. Their journeys not only highlight extraordinary success but also reveal the intense highs and lows they endured, and their ability to persevere through them.

Their stories remind us that while physical strength is essential in sports, true endurance comes from the mind and overall well-being. Learning to step back, manage pressure, and allow time to recover from serious injuries is just as important as rigorous training. Excellence is not built on effort alone; it also depends on balance, resilience, and the understanding that rest is as necessary as hard work.

We are fortunate to witness strong and resilient women breaking barriers, inspiring young athletes, and increasing the visibility of their sports. Even as both athletes begin to slow down and consider retirement in the near future, their legacy remains firmly intact. They will be remembered not only as historically significant champions, but also as women who challenged the traditional expectation that elite athletes must compete at any cost. Ultimately, their stories remind us that, beyond medals and titles, they are human beings and extraordinary competitors, but above all, remarkable women.

References

Razón: La profesora de Professional English, Ruth A. Cotto, del Grado en Periodismo semipresencial solicita a su alumnado un análisis e interpretación de la trayectoria de gimnastas olímpicas relevantes.
Temática: Trayectoria de las medallistas olímpicas Simone Biles y Carolina Marín.
Alumnos: Juanita Díaz Velasco.
Curso: 2025-2026.
Asignatura: Professional English.

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